You didn't have to be an expert to know something
was wrong at Pleasureland Southport. It was just the immediacy of the closure that shocked and
saddened many. The park closed on September 5th 2006. themagiceye started scratching its head when a
new ride promised on the site of the old zoo materialised into a 'Paintball Kombat Zone'. The Old Helter Skelter was removed, despite a plaque
next to it that promised that it was going to stay. Of course the benefit of hindsight is a wonderful thing...

A Short History of Pleasureland

29th March
1913First opened with a figure of eight rollercoaster and a slide.

1924In
the years after the First World War, several more rides were added and having outgrown the original King’s Garden site,
moved to its current site to allow for expansion.

1930sRenamed ‘Pleasureland’
and the Ghost Train added.

1937‘Cyclone’ wooden rollercoaster opened.

1940sPleasureland closed during the Second World War when it was used by the Air Ministry as a ‘plane
park’. The post war years saw further expansion plus an increase in tourism and more visitors.

1950sFun
House opened with giant slides, rotating barrel, joy wheel and moving stairs. In 1954, following the Coronation, The Queen’s
Horses were built.

1960sHaunted Swing and 1001 Troubles mirror maze were constructed.

1970sWild Cat steel rollercoaster with its very steep drop was added to the list of rides along
with Skyride and a journey-into-space dark ride.

1980sHimalaya, a fast spinning thrill
ride was installed together with the Trabant, Big Apple kiddies coaster and the Log Runner.

1991
A new major attraction from Myrtle Beach in the USA arrives - the Log Flume makes quite
a splash.

1997
Tidal Wave, Swamp Buggies and
a new Ghost Train arrive at Pleasureland.

1998
£2 million redevelopment including Europe’s
only ‘CHAOS’ ride.

1999
£8 million investment, including £5 million TRAUMAtizer,
then the UK’s tallest and fastest suspended looping coaster; the ride was the first ever of its type in the UK and
flies TRAUMAtized thrillseekers through 5 terrifying loops and rolls at speeds of up to 85 Km an hour, pulling up to 4.5+G! TRAUMAtizer’s 2,200 foot track suspends 8 seats for 16 riders sitting 2 abreast, so for the first time in the UK, both
riders got a breathtaking view!

Plus Casablanca built, the new Family Entertainment
Centre with restaurant and bar.

2000
£1m investment including King Solomon’s Mines
coaster and Fun House refurbishment.

2002
Lucozade Energy Space Shot – the new £1m
Space Shot for Pleasureland Southport was another major new white-knuckle thriller. A 150-foot tower ride where 12 seated
riders are catapulted up into the air at 80mph, pulling 4 positive G on the way up and a tummy-tingling 1 negative G on
the way down…like being ejected from a fighter plane: total “vertical reality”.

2003
Abdullah’s Dilemma: Haunted Swing and 1001 Troubles merged to
make one separate attraction. An Odditorium making
scientific principles fascinating for kids.

2004
Lost Dinosaurs
of the Sahara: over £2m worth of investment for 2004 starring The Lost Dinosaurs of the Sahara which is the new theme
of the traditional River Caves (£500K), brand new Pleasureland entrance
(over £300K), Desert Rescue family ride (£200K), Sandstorm
ride, and a whole host of landscaping and refurbishment projects, including new arcades, games, bingo, and catering improvements
(£1m).